Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-11-17

ever answered, SO the same ceremony was
repeated many time.
l did not mind the women so much, but
the out-of-place men servants, I own, were
trial to me. Frenchmen, italians, Ger
mans, Irishmen, all and sundry. They
stood in rows. blocking up my little hall,
and had been summoned by my niece
Edith, to whom her mother had in most
cases thrown the Morning Post and heap
of half penny cards, saying: "Write to
any likely ones, and tell them to meet me
tomorrow. Aunt Hannah won't mind,
and baby wants me now"
That little trouble, however was put an
end to in this wise. One Of the men
turned out to have been notorious
burglar, and an attempt was made on my
house which failed, owing to the prompt
itude with which Ailsie had struck light
in the basement, while the footman
locked himself securely in the pantry.
Robert was very kind about this, and
peremptorily forbade any more appoint
ments of the kind being made. He would
see all men servants at his own club in
future.
So my life flowed evenly on fer year
or two, and my nephews and nieces came
and went, and my doors flew open to
them heartily.
.Aunt Hannah" said Bobby ore day,
as he rushed in laden with an enormous
hamper, "yon won't mind this standing
here just while Pm having luncheon, will
you? It's only badger fellow has Civ
en- me to take home. It's awfully jolly if
you'd like to have it out"
"No, thanks" / answered with my
poo ket-handkerchief to my nose; "we can
stand the hamper down in the area. It
isn't exactly sweet, you know, Bobby"
"Not sweet! Why, it's only badger,
and I can't stay long, because my train
goes at don't you known"
sPut where's Tim?" I asked, looking
beyond him to the empty hanson.
ooh! by-the-bye, [ forgot" he answered
promptly. "Tim's sickening for the
measles, they think, so mother thought
he had better not go home; but as they
won't keep him at old Blazers" he con-
tinued, as he flung himself cheerily into
an armchair in the sitting-room, she is
to follow by the next train, and mother
said that she was sure you wouldn't mind
if he came straight to you, bat was to
ask you, don't you know"
Here burst out laughing, and Bobby
looked critically but approvingly at me,
with both hands on his knees.
81 say, Aunt Hannah" he clustered out,
'I'm never sure about you. Sometimes
think you are 20, and sometimes you look
II, that's what you look now. don't be-
lieve you're half as old-maidish as tie
girls think you"
"Thank you, Bobby" said kissing his
Jolly red cheek. s'I don't feel like 20 yet,
and what dear old boy you will be when
I am! But now about Tim. was going
to have party tonight, and measles
won't do well with that"
But it had to do, inasmuch as there was
no time to put off anybody, and ''the
party" got asfar as my closed front door,
where they were met by an affable police
man, on duty for the purpose at 5 shill-
ings for the job, who Informed them with
bated breath that "there was h'iufection
in the 'ouse," and the grinding wheels
were all that heard of my guests for q
long while afterward.
One of them, wishing to combine kind
ness and caution, sent me note of in
quiry.
Dear Hannah-How is your nephew?
but please, dear, don't send an answer"
Tim was dear fellow, and I did not
catch the measles. He, too, was compli-
mentary and encouraging about my age
and infrmities, and went SO far as to won
der if 1 hadn't been rather pretty when I
was young.
That night, as Ailsie was brushing my
rebellious locks, [ ventured on timid in
quiry. "Ailsie, DEAR" said in wheedling
accents, 'was ever at all nice-looking
when was young?"
"When you was what, my dearie?"
young, Ailsie-young."
"Well," answered the dear old thing.
poising the brush in the air, 'sit's so long
ago, you see, Miss Hannah, you can't ex-
pect me to throw my memory back so
far"
"Ah, don't tease me, Ailsie; really want
to know" pleaded.
"Well, then, my dear, you was, and
what's more, you are; and that's the Cos
pei truth, and many's the one that
thinks sesame as me-"
Why should [ care? and yet did. It
was not because was too ugly, then, that
Mike had escaped from me. Other peo-
pie had at all times talked nonsense to
me, when my heart had been too weary TO
take much heed, and my sister-in- law had
chided me for not responding when the
takers had been eligible. All that seem
ed long ages ago, and now l was soil
tary and moderately rich woman, with
house of my own, and parrot and
terrier; and | could be and was of use
to many of my family, whose unfail-
ing motto was as of old-'sshe won't
mind;" and no one guessed that I was
glad that I was not ugly. Had they been
asked what my opinion might have been
on the subject they would have, as usual,
believed me Indifferent, If I passed as
''good creature," IL ere were but few
steps to go to arrive at the fool, may be.
Tins good opinion cheered me wonder
fully, and l saw MIN start for home with
thorough regret.
few days later. the sweeps being in
possession OF the drawing room, tele-
gram came announcing the arrival of
one of my nieces for a violin lesson in nv
house, eff did not mind" Hurriedly I
had the piano rescued from upstairs and
carried into my little front snuggery; and
just as it was put into place by the awk-
ward but willing helpers we had caught at
a few moments notice, my niece arrived,
and with b er came graceful, lady-like
girl whose looks attracted me greatly.
Ruth, this is Aunt Hannah" said nv
niece. "You didn't mind, did you, Aunt